Category: Los Angeles

Netflix has renewed its fantasy series “The Witcher” for a fifth and final season. The series just began production on Season 4, the streamer announced Thursday. The upcoming two seasons will be the first to feature Liam Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia, the lead character that Henry Cavill played for the first three seasons. Seasons 4 and 5 will be filmed back to back. Release dates have not been announced. Lauren Schmidt Hissrich created “The Witcher” in 2019, based on the fantasy novel series by Andrzej Sapkowski. Hissrich also serves as the showrunner and executive producer. “It is with huge pride that we begin shooting our penultimate season of ‘The Witcher’ with a stellar cast, including some exciting new additions, led by Liam Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia,” Hissrich said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to be able to bring Andrzej Sapkowski’s books to an epic and satisfying conclusion. It wouldn’t be our show if we didn’t push our family of characters to their absolute limit — stay tuned to see how the story ends.” Netflix posted a video on X featuring clips from the

A new fee proposed for some Southern Californians’ power bills is rankling some residents, and a local state legislator aims to stop the implementation of the high charge. While Los Angeles Department of Water and Power customers won’t be affected by the proposed $24 charge, many others will, including those who get their electricity from the California Public Utility Commission-regulated Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric Company, as reported by the Los Angeles Daily News. While the CPUC has offered a reduction of 5 to 7 centers per kilowatt hour in exchange for the fee, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) says that’s not enough to offset “skyrocketing” rates. Higher power bills likely headed for Southern California “Our constituents have had enough and so have we,” she said in a press conference. “It’s time to put some reasoning back into how we charge for electricity in California.” As the Daily News noted, over the past decade, “PGE rates have increased 127%, SCE rates have increased 91% and SDGE rates have increased 72%.” The higher fees are expected to

By Arshad R. Zargar April 18, 2024 / 2:04 PM EDT / CBS News Biden to meet with India Prime Minister Modi Biden to meet with India Prime Minister Modi ahead of G20 06:52 New Delhi — People will start heading to the polls in India Friday in what’s set to be the largest general election ever held anywhere in the world, with nearly 1 billion eligible voters. The elections will be held in seven phases, from April 19 until June 1. Election officials are expected to announce the results on June 4. Incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi is vying for a third term in office. Pre-election polling is illegal in India, but a survey found Modi’s overall approval rating had risen to 75% in February, a figure that jumped 15% in the last two years. His supporters would argue his popularity surged because of his work in bringing India up on the world stage as a major power, and his critics would say it’s because of his shrewd pro-Hindu and anti-Muslim policies. Biden hosts Modi for state visit, navigating critical relations amid rights concerns India’s Prime

By Jason R. Rich Updated on: April 18, 2024 / 2:01 PM EDT / Essentials CBS Essentials is created independently of the CBS News editorial staff. We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. Google, Samsung The latest smartphone can handle so much more than just calls or texts. They’re powerful communications, productivity, fitness and entertainment devices — plus so much more. But that also means that smartphone shopping can get confusing, especially since there are so many really great options.  Whether you’re an iPhone or Android user, our in-house tech experts have compiled this roundup of our favorites models right now — and there’s something here for everyone, regardless of your budget or the features you’re looking for from a new phone. To learn more about these and other smartphone options, be sure to check out our coverage of the best Android smartphones and best folding smartphones . You can also check out our full review of the popular Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and OnePlus 12 smartphones. And if you’re looking

Social video platform Triller will be acquired by a Hong Kong financial services company as the Los Angeles-based firm looks to bulk itself up to counter TikTok’s dominance. The agreement has already been approved by the boards of Triller and AGBA Group Holding Ltd., though it still needs regulatory and shareholder approval, according to a statement from the companies. The deal is expected to close in late May, after which Triller will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGBA, which is publicly traded. Shares of AGBA jumped 150% to about $1 in midday trading. Triller, which has more than 200 employees, will remain in L.A. after the deal closes. An AGBA spokesperson said the company does not have plans for layoffs at the time, and will instead expand Triller’s workforce. AGBA shareholders will own 20% of the newly combined company, while Triller stockholders will own 80% . “We believe this is the most efficient route for Triller to access public capital markets and secure the liquidity needed for rapid growth,” Bobby Sarnevesht, Triller’s chief executive, said in a statement. Triller has long lagged rival TikTok in

After years of analysis and debate, California regulators have adopted a nation-leading drinking water standard for hexavalent chromium, a carcinogen found in water supplies across the state. The dangers of the toxic heavy metal, also known as chromium-6, became widely known in the 1990s after a court case that then-legal clerk Erin Brockovich helped develop against Pacific Gas & Electric for contaminating water in the town of Hinkley in the Mojave Desert. The story of tainted water in that case, which led to a $330-million settlement , inspired an Oscar-winning movie starring Julia Roberts. Aggressive and impactful reporting on climate change, the environment, health and science. The California Legislature in 2001 called for the state to develop a drinking water standard for hexavalent chromium . But the path to finalizing a standard involved years of debates over the health hazards and the costs of treating water to remove the carcinogen. The State Water Resources Control Board voted unanimously Wednesday to set the maximum level for chromium-6 in drinking water at 10 parts per billion, a limit that state officials determined will significantly reduce health risks.

Embattled rapper Kanye West is reportedly facing more legal strife — this time in connection to an alleged battery incident in Los Angeles. The “Vultures” musician — who now goes by Ye — is under investigation by L.A. police for allegedly punching a man who allegedly grabbed his wife, Bianca Censori, TMZ reported Wednesday. Sources told the website that Ye, 46, and Censori, 29, left the scene of the alleged altercation and that the rapper’s alleged victim did not need treatment for injuries. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department said that officers responded to the 8200 block of Sunset Boulevard at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday for a “battery investigation” and a report has since been completed. The spokesperson did not confirm the suspect’s identity to The Times on Thursday. Video shared by Fox 11 reporter Matthew Seedorff on Wednesday shows detectives leaving the iconic Chateau Marmont on Sunset . Boulevard, where West reportedly has been staying in recent months. A representative for the rapper disputed initial t reports that Censori had been “grabbed” by the other man as “grossly inadequate as a description of

A close-knit Chicago family of meager means and hesitant dreams grapples with their sense of home in the plaintive indie drama “We Grown Now,” from writer-director Minhal Baig. Set in the high-rises of the Cabrini-Green housing project in 1992, when the beleaguered complex’s decline was palpable, it sounds like a recipe for doleful poverty-gazing. But in Windy City native Baig’s solid hands, it’s a resolutely poetic, at times even golden-hued portrait of lives unafraid to hope amid growing despair. Our way in is via grade-school besties Malik (Blake Cameron James) and Eric (Gian Knight Ramirez), spirited kids fueled by a love of exploration (sometimes during school hours), a commitment to perfecting their playground “jump” onto piled mattresses cadged from empty units and a running commentary of jokes, teasing and Bulls analysis. (This is the rare period film devoid of needle-drop music cues, Baig preferring Jay Wadley’s flinty string score as accompaniment.) Malik, who boasts a smile you want more of, is also an active dreamer, intent on showing Eric — whose outlook can lean cynical, despite an attentive single dad (Lil Rel Howery) pushing him

It’s true! Ashanti is expecting her first child with longtime love Nelly. The “Baby” singer and the “Hot in Herre” rapper confirmed months of pregnancy rumors Wednesday after much speculation about their growing family. They also confirmed that they’re engaged. “This new year of my life is such a blessing full of love, hope, and anticipation,” Ashanti told Essence. “Motherhood is something that I have looked forward to, and sharing this with my family, fiancé, and loyal fans, who have been so supportive of my career, is an amazing experience.” The R&B star also announced the news in surprise ad for Proov, a diagnostics company she co-owns with Nelly that offers medical-grade at-home tests for couples trying to conceive. The ad, which the singer posted on Instagram in a collaboration with her fiancé and Essence, features the “Always on Time” singer getting ready for a show and, when asked how much more time she needs, she quips “about nine months.” Representatives for the couple did not immediately respond Thursday to The Times’ requests for additional comment. While this baby, baby, baby, baby, baby will be

NBA players have always dealt with raucous and distracting fans behind the net at road games. Now, the Los Angeles Clippers are taking it to the next level with their soon-to-be-completed new home at Inglewood’s Intuit Dome. It’s called The Wall, and the team is making one thing very clear: no opposing fans are allowed. No exceptions. The Wall consists of 51 uninterrupted rows of fans who will pay as little as $30 per ticket.   “Behind the basket and close to the action, this standing-only section is built to house 300 of our most energetic fans who will help us deliver an unbelievable in-game experience,” the team says on its website. A vision board that shows the end result of the new Clippers stadium at Intuit Dome on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in Inglewood, CA. (Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Inglewood, CA – April 17: Media walks by a sign of the ‘Ultimate Wall Pass” for future patrons at Intuit Dome on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in Inglewood, CA. (Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Inglewood, CA

Kennedy family members to endorse Biden for president – CBS News Watch CBS News Several Kennedy family members will endorse President Biden’s reelection bid Thursday in Philadelphia. Some members of the renowned family have already opposed Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s independent campaign for president. CBS News’ Aaron Navarro reports. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

By Graham Kates, Katrina Kaufman, Stefan Becket Updated on: April 18, 2024 / 1:03 PM EDT / CBS News Juror dismissed from Trump trial Juror dismissed from Trump’s “hush money” trial 10:13 Two people who were selected to serve on the jury in former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial in New York were excused on Thursday, including one woman who expressed concerns about being identified publicly and her ability to remain impartial. The number of seated jurors now stands at five on the third day of proceedings. Juror #2, a young woman who was chosen to serve on Tuesday, said she “definitely has concerns now” about serving after friends and family asked her if she was a juror, based on media reports. “Aspects of my identity have already been out there in public. Yesterday alone, I had friends and family push things to me,” she told the court on Thursday. “I don’t think at this point that I can be fair and unbiased.” The judge, Juan Merchan, immediately reprimanded the press for reporting what he said was too much information about the jurors. He ordered

Updated on: April 18, 2024 / 1:01 PM EDT / AP No other band has had the type of connection that the Allman Brothers has had with the Beacon Theater, selling out more than 200 shows since its tenure began in 1989 Inside the Allman Brothers Band’s final shows 04:14 Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, “Ramblin’ Man,” has died. He was 80. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer died at his home in Osprey, Florida, David Spero, Betts’ manager of 20 years, confirmed. Betts had been battling cancer for more than a year and had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Spero said. “He was surrounded by his whole family and he passed peacefully. They didn’t think he was in any pain,” Spero said by phone. Betts shared lead guitar duties with Duane Allman in the original Allman Brothers Band to help give the group its distinctive sound and create a new genre — Southern rock. Acts ranging from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Kid Rock were influenced by the Allmans’ music, which combined the blues, country, R&B

By Analisa Novak April 18, 2024 / 12:55 PM EDT / CBS News Brittney Spencer talks Beyoncé collaboration Brittney Spencer talks rise to fame, Beyoncé collaboration 05:21 Rising country star Brittney Spencer couldn’t believe she was hearing her voice on the song, “BLACKBIIRD” from Beyoncé’s album “Cowboy Carter.” Recalling the moment she heard her inclusion on the album, Spencer said she was with friends at her apartment. “I just kind of like just dropped to the floor and just sat there for awhile,” she said. “We played ‘BLACKBIIRD’ a few times, and I was like, ‘This is wild, I can’t believe it.’ I kept looking at my phone like, ‘is this actually the Beyonce album?'” The significance of the song was amplified by praise from music legend Paul McCartney , who called the recording “magnificent” and appreciated its reinforcement of the civil rights message he intended when writing the original “BLACKBIIRD” for his band, The Beatles, in 1968. “It means everything. The Beatles is my second favorite band of all time,” said Spencer, who added that The Chicks is her favorite. The shared experience led

By any reasonable measure, David Fincher had made it by 1990. He was directing rapturous music videos for Madonna (“Express Yourself,” “Vogue”) and doing lucrative ads for top brands worldwide. The production company he co-founded, Propaganda Films, had cornered the MTV market, helping launch the careers of such future notables as Spike Jonze and Antoine Fuqua. But there was Hollywood to conquer and Fincher, not yet 30, rushed headlong into his feature debut, one that no superfan of Ridley Scott (also a genius director of commercials) could pass up: the third movie of the “Alien” franchise. While it has since found a hardcore base of defenders, 1992’s dour, much-mussed “Alien 3,” a troubled production, was a disappointment that Fincher has largely disowned. A little over three years later, however, he was back with a movie that has since come to define him, even with future Oscar-nominated titles on the horizon. Starring Morgan Freeman and a rising Brad Pitt as two detectives — one deliberate and cynical, the other impulsive and naive — in an oppressively rainy city hunting down a ghoulish maker of tableaus based

Google has terminated 28 employees after dozens of workers participated in sit-ins inside company offices earlier this week to protest the tech giant’s work in Israel amid the war against Hamas in Gaza. The protests, organized by the No Tech for Apartheid campaign, raised concerns about Google and Amazon’s $1.2-billion cloud computing contract with the Israeli government and military. The campaign is demanding that Google and Amazon drop the effort, known as Project Nimbus. The advocacy group staged protests and sit-ins on Tuesday at Google office locations in New York and Sunnyvale, Calif., where nine Google employees were arrested for trespassing. The campaign said the firings included people who did not directly participate in the sit-in protests. Google said the employees had violated company policy. In a letter to Google staff, Google vice president of global security Chris Rackow said the workers were terminated after an internal investigation, adding that their actions ran afoul of the company’s code of conduct and harassment rules. “They took over office spaces, defaced our property, and physically impeded the work of other Googlers,” Rackow wrote in a memo obtained

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in solving a 2020 murder in Norwalk. Raul Cervantes Corona, 32, was killed on Dec. 18, 2020, in a parking lot in the 10900 block of Rosecrans Avenue while meeting a friend for “an evening off-road vehicle outing,” the Sheriff’s Department said. That evening, Corona was found suffering from a gunshot wound to his upper body and was declared dead at the scene, as reported by the Whittier Daily News. “While Raul was in the driver’s seat, an individual approached him on the driver’s side and shot him in cold blood,” Sheriff Robert Luna said. On Thursday, the Sheriff’s Department renewed their call for information on the shooter, who was wearing red when they approached Corona’s car and shot him. “The assailant quickly left the scene and got into a vehicle that was parked close by,” the LASD added. Luna added that the vehicle was a light gray Kia Forte. No motive has been publicized, but Luna said “it is very important to note that nothing was taken from Raul.” Anyone with information

House could finally vote on Ukraine, Israel aid bills – CBS News Watch CBS News Speaker Mike Johnson may get a House vote on a set of foreign aid bills that would finally allocate additional funds for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. CBS News congressional correspondent Nikole Killion reports on potential Republican opposition to Johnson’s move. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

Netanyahu pushes back on calls for restraint in response to Iran attack – CBS News Watch CBS News Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing back on calls from allies to use restraint as he weighs options for a reprisal attack against Iran. CBS News foreign correspondent Debora Patta and BBC News correspondent James Landale report. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

Blinken urges Ukraine support at G7 Italy meeting – CBS News Watch CBS News Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated the need for additional funds to aid Ukraine in its war against Russia during a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba at the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in Capri, Italy. CBS News’ Olivia Gazis reports. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

By Graham Kates, Katrina Kaufman, Stefan Becket Updated on: April 18, 2024 / 11:49 AM EDT / CBS News Juror dismissed from Trump trial Juror dismissed from Trump’s “hush money” trial 10:13 A woman who was selected to serve on the jury in former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial in New York was excused Thursday after she expressed concerns about being identified publicly and her ability to remain impartial. The juror, a young woman who was chosen to serve on Tuesday, said she “definitely has concerns now” after friends and family asked her if she was a juror, based on reports in the media about those who have been selected.  “Aspects of my identity have already been out there in public. Yesterday alone, I had friends and family push things to me,” she told the court on Thursday. “I don’t think at this point that I can be fair and unbiased.” Judge Juan Merchan immediately reprimanded the press for reporting what he considers too much information about the jurors. He said questions about potential jurors’ employers would be redacted from the court record moving forward